Do We Hurt The Ones We Love? Do We Care About Others?

Those we love many times wound us the deepest. Something very important to us is taken, we believe, too lightly, misconstrued, or misunderstood.  On some issues we may never agree even with those that matter to us the most. Resolution seems out of reach. We need validation and convincing.  We are each one convinced we are correct and in keeping with God’s will.  How is that possible?

Why is it so hard for others to understand how we feel? Why can’t they see things our way? On our way to church on a recent Sunday morning we were discussing the pros and cons of why we were mired in such a conflict at church. Neither of us felt like going.  We are tired of the conflict.  We have taken our stand and we are convinced it is the correct one.  We were feeling depressed.

When we arrived at the Bible Study, the verse that was read was, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers, live together in unity.” 

“How good and pleasant it is
when brothers (and sisters{my add}) live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes” (Psalm 133:1-2, NIV).

How do we reach that unity? Where is the balance between being convinced and able to accept our differences and respect each other’s point of view?

What about the hurt we're feeling Lord?  Will it ever go away?  Will I ever feel the same about those people or about any church?

God never demands that I urgently accept His point of view. Instead He whispers. Go beyond yourself, in fact—get over yourself. Take your ego off of the throne and worship ME.  Stop and consider the oil—precious anointing oil — freely poured over acrimonious words, over injured hearts.

Myrrh is found in anointing oil. It has many medicinal and healing uses. In ancient times it was used for cleaning wounds and sores. We have some gaping wounds today Lord. Because myrrh was used in the embalming or anointing of the dead, it represents mortality, suffering, and sorrow. God understands our sorrow. But He calls us to dwell in unity. He has provided the gentle oil of his presence that is freely poured out for us. We just need to be willing to get beyond ourselves and receive His gift to us.

Prayer:   Dear Father, when sorrow and sadness brought on by divisions arise, when we feel wounded Lord, when words cut deep, help us to just release them to you Lord. Let us receive your anointing oil, the oil of unity, the precious lubricant that you rub onto the wounds and hurts of our heart. Help us to extend the oil of unity to those I love. Amen and amen